10 Secrets To Buying a Valentine Gift -Without Making A Committment!

You like her a lot. In fact, given some time, she may even turn out to be "the one". But you're not sure yet - and you don't want to rush things. Or lead her on. So . . . how do you handle "gifting" holidays, like Valentine's Day or even her birthday? The answer lies in a secret very few men know. That secret is the power of fashion jewelry! I hear ya - you're saying, "What the heck is fashion jewelry! Isn't all jewelry fashionable?" The answer is yes - but not all fashionable jewelry has to be an expensive commitment! In fact, "fashion jewelry" as a category is jewelry that is crafted of something other than precious metals - and it doesn't feature real gemstones. But that doesn't mean it isn't fabulous! Fashion jewelry is, in fact,simulated to look like the real thing - at a fraction of the cost- and women have been wearing and loving it for centuries! While it's sometimes called "fakes", really good fashion jewelry is the real thing - in the sense that it has value as well as loads of style. And when you choose a piece of fashion jewelry for a birthday or Valentine's Day you show your lady that you think of her as sexy and feminine - without having to say "major commitment". Buying A Woman Jewelry: What To Look For While I'm certain you'll have no problems finding a vast array of fashion jewelry, particularly online, there is the good, the bad, and the "you're better off buying her a blender " styles. So if you're thinking about choosing a piece, we at CountryDutchess.com jewelry think there are a few things you need to know. 1. Use your "eye" to choose jewelry that simply looks " real". It should mimic the look of expensive jewelry like genuine gemstones or a precious metal. If you wouldn't expect to see a neon pink stone or a green rubber bracelet band in a "good" jewelry store, then don't buy one in a fashion jewelry store. 2. Remember that bigger is not always better - well at least not in jewelry. So by pass the knuckle-to-knuckle rings or huge sparkly earrings and again choose pieces that look as if they could be real. No one is going to wear a stone the size of the Hope Diamond - but a pair of earrings that could be one or two carats in size is going to look classy and real. 3. Think about what your lady wears - and then look for pieces that will fit into her wardrobe. Does she wear lots of suits -with pins on her lapel? Then choose a pin. Have you never seen her without a dangly bracelet ? Then look for a bangle or charm bracelet. Will she never go out of the house without her earrings ? Buy her a pair - and if you're not sure if her ears are pierced, buy her clip-on earrings because they can be worn by anyone! 4. Is your gal strictly a "jeans and cowboy boot" kind of lady? Trust me, she still loves jewelry! Go for Southwest styles made of simulated turquoise or amber. 5. Is your gal a glamour girl - who loves satins and silks? Look for Cubic Zirconias -also known as CZ's - or as we at CountryDutchess.com like to call them - "Royalites". These are stones that simulate diamonds to a "T" . When set in sterling silver or a plated metal, they can be very inexpensive - with an expensive look and feel - and every woman loves them! 6. Is she funky and fun - wears lots of long ruffle skirts, off the shoulder blouses or jeans and knee high boots? Then look for "Bohemian" or "BoHO" style jewelry - the long dangly earrings and brightly jeweled bangle bracelets. 7. If you just can't figure out your lady's taste, play it safe with "classic" choices- a pair of hoop earrings are a wardrobe staple, as are a pair of CZ stud earrings - which now come in pieced and clip on styles. 8. Always have your jewelry boxed and professionally wrapped - or shop in a store that offers free gift boxing. A lot of very nice fashion jewelry loses its appeal when it's presented clipped to a cardboard or in a plastic baggie. At CountryDutchess.com we always gift box everything and never use cardboard or plastic in our presentations. 9. While buying a piece of "heart" jewelry is the old Valentine standby - and it still works - don't limit your shopping to just "hearts". Any type of pendant, earrings, bracelet or pin carries the same sentiment as a heart - so if you see something you like, buy it! 1O. Finally, I'm going to let you in on the biggest secret of all: In a woman's hierarchy of thinking, even fashion jewelry has levels of commitment! ( We can't help it - we attach romance to everything! ) So to help you match your gift with your current level of feelings, here's how it goes: * Rings - even inexpensive ones, always carry an "unspoken" promise of more to come. If you're not sure there is more to come, don't buy her a ring of any kind. * Pendants - This is the next level of commitment jewelry - not quite as romantic as a ring, but when you think about the idea that she's wearing it next to her heart. . . well you get the idea! * Earrings are a great gift because they let her know you are looking at her face! And the great thing about earrings is, if she's already your one and only, she'll take them as a sign of your truest love. If she's not yet yours alone, she'll view earrings as a sign you're really interested - but she still has a ways to go. * Bracelets are the least "committed" piece of jewelry - yet they are a great way to show her she's important and you like her. Buy your lady a bracelet and she'll know you're interested - and that you have great taste - but you won't be wearing your heart on your sleeve! * Pins are the gift to choose if she's really just a friend - and you don't think it will ever go further. It's also a great gift for a Mom or a sister, or even your boss -though I'd save that for Christmas or a birthday- notValentine's Day!